London at War: A Military History Tour of Whitehall & Westminster
London at War. We trace military history from the British Empire and WWI through the Blitz of WWII to the Cold War, walking across Westminster, The Mall, and Whitehall. Highlights include the Churchill War Rooms, the Cenotaph, the Battle of Britain Monument, the Boer War Memorial, and St. Ermin’s Hotel.
Basic Information
Total time
2h 45m
Language
English (check the calendar for availability)
Price
„Pay what you wish” tours do not have a fixed price. It is up to you to evaluate your guide’s work and reward it. Some people give 10€, others 50€ depending on their satisfaction and abilities.
Meeting point
Burghers of Calais Statue, Victoria Tower Gardens South Park Nearest public transport: 2 metro station; 1 metro station
Additional info
☂︎ This tour is organised by Walkative London guides. Look for the guide with the yellow umbrella.
❗Our tours run no matter the weather. High or low temperatures, rain or snow is not a reason for us to cancel our tours. We are always here for you. The only reason for cancellations are extreme weather conditions (like heavy storms…), guide's sudden sickness or no minimum number of people (5) to run the tour, but we will always let you know using the data you provided during registration for the tour.Booking rules
Booking is obligatory. Our pay as you wish tours are designed for individual travellers and small groups. We don’t accept parties of more than 7 people on them. If you travel in a party of 8 or more (school groups, bigger groups of friends etc.), please choose a paid option of 18€ per person or book a Private Tour. For more information on the latter, please contact us.
About the tour
From defeating Napoleon, to crushing uprisings in the Empire, to fighting off the Nazi Luftwaffe, Britain has been at the centre of some of the most defining conflicts in world history, with London as the beating heart of its military prowess. How could it be that the capital of such a small island ended up running one of the greatest military powers of the globe? Join us on Walkative’s London At War tour to delve deep into this question and explore London’s wartime history, from the British Empire, the Blitz & WWII, to the Cold War.
Starting by the Palace of Westminster, and walking through the Mall and government district of Whitehall, we’ll discuss the conflicts of the British Empire and the millions of troops fighting for (and sometimes against) it in the 19th century. We’ll reveal the harrowing truth of the birth of concentration camps in South Africa standing by the Boer War Memorial, as well as pass the house of the famous T.E. Lawrence, whose life inspired the era-defining ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ movie. We will then step into the enthralling stories of WWII, and, at Blitz damage, discuss what it was like for Londoners as the Nazi Luftwaffe assaulted the city with thousands of bombs. We will see where Winston Churchill’s War Rooms were, explaining the decisions made below, and pay our respects at the Cenotaph and Battle of Britain Monument. Lastly, but not only, at St Ermin’s Hotel, we will unearth the secret story of the Cambridge Spy Ring operating during the times of the Cold War.
Join our London At War tour to see both the iconic places related to WWII, as well as hidden spots and memorials to forgotten tales that you would otherwise have missed. Most of all, though, join us to understand the bigger picture of London at the centre of the world in times of conflict, from early Zeppelin air raids during WWI, through the battles of the British Empire, WWII and the Blitz, up to the movies that made the image of the dry, posh, tongue-in-cheek, moustachioed military officer so iconic. This tour has it all!
Highlights
- 1
Lawrence of Arabia's House
The London residence of T.E. Lawrence, the famous British officer and military strategist.
- 2
Boer War Memorial
Learn about this controversial British Empire conflict and the birth of modern concentration camps.
- 3
Churchill's War Rooms
The secret underground headquarters where Winston Churchill directed Britain's war efforts during WWII.
- 4
The Blitz Damage
See scars left on London from the Nazi Luftwaffe's relentless bombing campaign during World War II.
- 5
The Cenotaph
The United Kingdom’s primary national war memorial, honouring the fallen of the British Armed Forces.
- 6
Battle of Britain Monument
A moving tribute to the brave airmen who defended the United Kingdom against Nazi Germany.
7St Ermin's Hotel
Discover the secret story of the Cambridge Spy Ring operating from this hotel during the Cold War.
Map
Burghers of Calais Statue, Victoria Tower Gardens South Park Nearest public transport: 2 metro station; 1 metro station
